zyesha:

Is answering comments on AO3 a no-go because it alters your comments-count?

Okay, so I got a question. I started uploading my art also on AO3, mostly because there will be NSWF stuff which I can’t upload here.

Now I do get a lot of so nice and friendly comments, it’s awesome.
BUT: Do I answer them?
Normally I’d answer every single one with a “Thank you” at least, but I’m hesitating. Because that would alter my comment-count, which is a sorting possibility on AO3. Would it look as if I’d try to up that number?

I especially wonder because I see a lot of fresh works, where the authors do not answer the short comments like “Nice, Loved that, etc.”

I absolutely don’t have a clue what the etiquette is here, maybe someone can help? And if you don’t mind, maybe some reblogs for wider audience, because I’m pretty new with only a few followers (and I LOVE every single one of you!)

What I know is that commenters LOVE it when the author replies to their comment, and it encourages more comments in the future!